SoFi High Yield Savings Review
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Want a high APY and easy access to your money? Get the best of both worlds with SoFi's Checking and Savings account.
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Overall Score | 4.0 | ||
Savings | 3.5 | ||
Fees | 4.0 | ||
Mobile App | 4.5 | ||
Customer Service | 4.0 | ||
Pros and Cons
- 2-in-1 account
- Good rate
- $0 monthly fees
- Direct deposit required for high APY
- No physical branches
Bottom Line
Checking and savings account that boasts high rate with direct deposits
SoFi offers a high-yield savings account as part of its Checking and Savings Account.
It provides a single solution for your savings and checking needs. And, it can pay a solid rate.
But, only if you meet specific criteria. Read on to find out more about SoFi's offer and whether it is worth it or not.
What is SoFi Checking and Savings?
SoFi's Checking and Savings is a 2-in-1 product. Currently, they do not offer a checking-only or savings-only account.
When you open a savings account, you will also get a checking account. But you get a different rate depending on the type of balance.
You can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances with direct deposit (1.20% APY without) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
But, there is a catch. To earn the highest rate on your savings account (currently 4.60% APY), you must meet either of the following criteria:[1]
- Sign up for direct deposit
- Deposit at least $5,000 every 30 days
Otherwise, account holders will get a lower rate on their savings balance.
All you need to do is download and sign a pre-filled form that comes with your account and submit it to your HR department. They should be able to connect your payroll to your SoFi Checking and Savings account.
How Much Can You Earn?
Find out how much you can earn with SoFi's Checking and Savings account using this calculator.
SoFi's Digital Banking Features
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SoFi Checking and Savings comes with digital banking features to help you manage your finances better. With the SoFi app, you can easily transfer money, deposit checks, track your balance, pay bills, and many more.
SoFi also offers a couple of digital tools to help you budget, save, and meet your financial goals.[2]
- Vaults which allows you to organize your savings goals.
- Round-Ups which saves spare change from debit card purchases
- AutoSave which moves a part of your paycheck into savings automatically.
SoFi Checking and Savings Account - $300 Bonus
Set up at least one eligible direct deposit of $5,000 or more in your new or existing SoFi Checking and Savings account. Direct deposit must be received before the end of the promotion period. This offer is valid for new or existing customers who do not have any history of direct deposit transactions into their SoFi Checking and Savings account.
Fees to Look Out For
SoFi Checking and Savings virtually has no fees for you to worry about. Here's a list of its fee-free features:[3]
- No minimum balance requirement
- $0 monthly fees
- No overdraft charges
- Fee-free access to 55,000+ AllPoint ATMs worldwide
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Combined checking and savings account
- Competitive APY
- No minimum balance
- No monthly or overdraft fees
- Unlimited transactions per month
- Allows cash deposits
- Access to 55,000+ fee-free ATMs
- Includes financial management tools
Cons
- Must meet criteria to get high APY
- No physical branches
- up to $4.95 cash deposit fee
Qualifying deposits should total at least $5,000 from the following eligible sources:[4]
- ACH transfers
- Inbound wire transfers
- Peer-to-peer transfers
- Check deposits
- Instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card
- Push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card
- Cash deposits
Is SoFi Checking and Savings Safe?
Yes, it is. SoFi is an FDIC member (Cert #26881). Thus with SoFi Checking and Savings, deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000.
They also offer the SoFi Insured Deposit Program, which allows members to have coverage of up to $2M.
How to Open an Account
You can open a SoFi Checking and Savings account from wherever you are. Just follow these steps:
- Go to SoFi's Savings Account page and select Open an Account.
- Create your login info and fill out the application form.
- Submit and fund your account.
Note that you must fund your account within 30 days after you open the account. Otherwise, it will be closed.
Here's a list of options to fund your SoFi Checking and Savings Account:
- Direct deposit
- Transfer from an external account
- ACH or Peer-to-peer transfers
- Transfer from third-party wallet services
- Cash deposit via Green Dot
- Mobile check deposit
Who Is It Best For?
SoFi Checking and Savings is best for employed individuals who can set up direct deposits from their payroll to slowly grow their wealth through a high APY.
But it is also ideal for anyone who prefers a convenient 2-in-1 product that gives various ways to access their funds.
They can easily deposit and withdraw money. And, they can boost their savings with a competitive rate if they meet the $5,000 criteria every 30 days.
Yes, they can. As long as you are 18 years of age or older, you are eligible to open an online bank account with SoFi.
How SoFi Compares
High-Yield Savings Premier - 5.36% APY
- No account activity or maintenance fees
- $500 minimum opening deposit
- FDIC insured
CIT Bank Platinum Savings - 5.05% APY
- 5.05% APY with a balance of $5,000 or more
- 0.25% APY with a balance of less than $5,000
- $100 minimum opening deposit
- No monthly maintenance fee
- Member FDIC
UFB Secure Savings - Earn up to 5.25% APY
- Earn up to 5.25% APY*
- No monthly maintenance fees
- No minimum deposit required to open an account
- Access your funds 24/7 with easy-to-use digital banking tools
FAQs
How do I withdraw money from my account?
Since your SoFi Checking and Savings account comes with an ATM card, you can simply visit any Allpoint ATM location to withdraw. You can also use the SoFi mobile app to do online transfers.
How do I deposit money into my account?
You can visit any retail location with GreenDot services to deposit cash directly into your account. However, they will charge you a fee of up to $4.95 for each deposit you make.[5] You can also do a mobile check deposit via the SoFi app.
Can you just open a savings account with SoFi?
As of present, SoFi does not offer a checking-only or savings-only account. You will automatically have both when you sign up for a SoFi online bank account.
Bottom Line
SoFi's Checking and Savings account allows users to hit two birds with one stone. You can get a high APY on your savings account and have easy access to your funds with your checking account.
However, you need to have direct deposits set up or deposit at least $5,000 every 30 days to earn the highest rate.
If this isn't possible for you, it would be best to consider other high-yield options.
References
- ^ SoFi. SoFi Bank Rates Sheet, Retrieved 10/24/2023
- ^ SoFi. Automatic Savings, Retrieved 10/24/2023
- ^ SoFi. No Bank Fees, Retrieved 11/17/2023
- ^ SoFi. How do I get the highest savings APY?, Retrieved 11/17/2023
- ^ Green Dot. Deposit cash, Retrieved 11/17/2023
Write to Darlene Santos at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
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